Every football fan loves seeing a wonderkid thrive at their club, and for many in the Premier League this season, this has largely been what they have seen this season.
Younger players are taking a more central role for clubs in the English top-flight, with Arsenal the biggest example of this with Mikel Arteta leading a youth revolution in north London that could take the Gunners back to the UEFA Champions League.
Beyond Arsenal, though, there have been many players who have broken out in the Premier League this season who could go on to become world-class players in their positions, from a new prodigy at Leeds United to another Chelsea loanee taking England by storm.
For this list, though, we are sticking to players who have enjoyed breakout campaigns in the Premier League this season alone, meaning the likes of Phil Foden, Conor Gallagher and Bukayo Saka will not feature despite the trio enjoying another successful year in the English top-flight.
Armando Broja – Southampton/Chelsea
Chelsea’s loan army is one of the most impressive in world football, and this season has seen two players emerge as the Blues’ next outstanding young talents, that being the aforementioned Gallagher and Albanian international Armando Broja.
The 20-year-old striker has been sensational for Southampton this campaign, with the forward leading the line for the Saints in an impressive fashion with his finishing ability and incredible physical traits.
Reportedly a £58m target for Arsenal, Broja will have a major decision to make this summer on where he should play his football, though given Chelsea’s striker situation, the youngster could well feature for the west London side next campaign should Thomas Tuchel fancy taking a risk.
Anthony Elanga – Manchester United
Manchester United are one of the best clubs in Europe for producing quality youth talents, and this season under Ralf Rangnick has seen Anthony Elanga come into the fold, with the 20-year-old a regular under the German.
Goals in the Premier League and Champions League have seen Elanga’s stock rise considerably, and now capped for the Sweden national team, the winger could develop into an exciting prospect for United.
Moreover, the national media are taking care not to overblow Elanga’s potential, with United seeing former ‘wonderkids’ in Adnan Januzaj and Ravel Morrison fail to reach expectations due to the pressure put on them by the press.
Joe Gelhardt – Leeds United
Signed from Wigan in 2020, Joe Gelhardt arrived at Elland Road with a huge reputation on his back, with the youngster compared to the likes of Wayne Rooney before making the move to Leeds. However, this season has seen the England youth international explode onto the scene.
Handed his first-team debut by Marcelo Bielsa and becoming more involved at senior level with Jesse Marsch, Gelhardt has been teased as a player who could become a regular next season for Leeds, with the attacker impressing numerous times this season.
Premier League goals against Chelsea and Norwich City have enhanced Gelhardt’s reputation, and his overall play has got Leeds fans very excited about the teenage striker, who could become a regular for the Whites for many years to come.
Michael Olise – Crystal Palace
When Crystal Palace announced the £8m signing of Michael Olise from Reading last summer, everyone and their mother knew that the Eagles had just secured a bargain of a signing, and the winger’s form this season has proven exactly that.
The France U-21 international has taken to Premier League football like a duck to water, and Patrick Vieira’s youth charge at Palace has been a major factor in the club’s success this season, with Olise at the heart of it.
Still only 20, it won’t be long until some of the biggest clubs in the Premier League and beyond are looking at signing Olise, and given his record this season, the former Championship star can only get better from here.
Jacob Ramsey – Aston Villa
Any central midfielder impressing under Steven Gerrard is immediately going to draw comparisons to the great man himself, and that’s the position Jacob Ramsey has found himself in this season.
The Aston Villa star has exploded onto the scene this season with some truly outstanding goals from midfield, and with Ramsey signing a new contract in recent weeks, the Villains have a top talent on their hands for years to come.
Moreover, given Gerrard’s track record of improving players as seen at Rangers, Ramsey could continue to improve with the Villa manager at the scene, which could be an exciting revelation for the England national team.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
